After a warning issued before the October long weekend for worsening weather, local crews continued to work alongside out of area strike teams. Fire permits in the Mid Coast and Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Areas have been suspended until further notice.

With conditions cooling and the prospect of a small amount of rain predicted to fall over the coming days, NSW RFS said fire fighters, supported by aircraft and heavy plant are working hard to establish containment lines around the Belbora Creek Road fire, east of Gloucester.

Crews had some success over the weekend bringing the Mount George fire, north of Mount George under control.

The Innes View Road fire, west of Comboyne is also being controlled, with fire fighters confident containment will be achieved over the coming days.

Crews will continue to patrol these fires and smoke may be visible in the area.

NSW RFS said that fire fighters are frustrated that over the long weekend a number of suspicious fires occurred, which currently under investigation by police.

These include a fire on Lighthouse Rd, Crowdy Head on Saturday night (September 30), as well as multiple ignitions near Kings Creek and Herons Creek, Burrawan State Forest, south of Wauchope on Sunday night (October 1).

Superintendent Kam Baker is appealing to the community to be vigilant, “with such dry conditions across the Mid Coast any fires have the potential to threaten life and property.”

“We’re asking people to keep their eyes out for arson and report all suspicious activity to crime stoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said.

Fire Danger Ratings for the Mid Coast have dropped back to Low-Moderate, however it remains very dry with permits continuing to be suspended.

“We would be needing approximately 100-120 millimetres of rain just to get us back to where we normally are at this time of year, so while any rain this week will help, it’s not going to eliminate the risk. That’s why permits remain suspended until further notice,” Superintendent Baker explained.

As of 12pm on Monday, October 2 the NSW RFS Fires Near Me website has the following other fires listed in the region:

Being controlled:

Bobin, Millers Road, burnt 27 hectares

Innes View, Innes View Road, burnt 1781 hectares

Belbora Creek Road, Belbora, burnt 1696 hectares

Gloucester Tops, Barrington Tops National Park, burnt 34 hectares

Chichester Dam, Barrington Tops National Park, burnt 858 hectares

Under control:

Mount George, Nowendoc Road, burnt 380 hectares

Elands, Tilbaroo Road

Crowdy Head, Pacific Drive

Taree, Leigh Drive

Upper Chichester, Barrington Tops National Park, burnt 365 hectares

Bowman, Thunderbolts Way, burnt 315 hectares

Bulahdelah, Old Inn Road, burnt 1115 hectares

Tipperary, Afflecks Road, size burnt 526 hectares

Tuncurry, Lakes Way, burnt 2456 hectares

Stroud, Farrells Road, burnt 27 hectares

Residents should be ready to implement their bush fire survival plan.

If you don’t have a plan visit www.myfireplan.com.au/ for information, monitor the situation closely and keep key information available.

Download the Fires Near Me application available on Android and IOS from the App Store and visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

There will continue to be smoke across the Mid Coast region over the weekend.

Report all unattended fires to Emergency Triple Zero (000).

For further information on fires in the area contact the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.​